Around the World in 80 Books discussion

What’s your favorite book out of the ones we’ve read so far? (Sweet and Sour Milk, A Woman in the Crossfire, Persepolis, The Return, A Land Without Jasmine, The Translator, A Sky So Close). Have you been inspired to read any other books from the countries on # 45’s first Muslim Ban?

I set up a poll for this here.

My favorite book from our choices was definitely the Return, with Persepolis coming in second place. The Return was just magnificently written, and I need to read his other novel.

However, I really couldn't be happier with the books we read over all! I think we got some pretty different stories and authors, and I learned *a lot*. Persepolis inspired me to read a couple other books by Iranian authors, and delving a little deeper there was also great. What about you guys?

I agree - The Return was just so gorgeously put and wrenching and fascinating because I knew so little about Libya - it was far and away my favorite. I actually went out and bought this for my fiancee recently. His homeland is experiencing some turmoil and it's been really hard for him to be away, and the first thing I thought of was that book. Isn't it amazing how someone else's words can help put things into perspective? That just fascinates me.

And I agree - I don't think there was a book I didn't like overall. There were a couple that were very hard to read just because of subject matter, but I learned SO much from this group and it has really expanded my knowledge of these countries. I've done a lot of extra research on my own and it's been such a rich way to continue my reading this year! I'm grateful for you all and this little group. It's a small thing but reading these books, humanizing the "other" and continuing my learning has made me feel productive and thoughtful amidst all the chaos politically, and I've used a lot of this information in other discussions. I am excited to continue this in the future!